The National Education Association is joining the Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund and the American Federation of Teachers to call on lawmakers to stand up to the gun lobby and take immediate action to finally start protecting our schools from gun violence by implementing strategies that are proven to help improve school safety. The organizations this week released a report that includes new data detailing gun violence in American schools, and provides clear guidance for lawmakers to support policies that have proven to be effective at preventing gun violence and supporting safe and healthy learning environments.

WEAC President Ron Martin on Tuesday praised Wisconsin educators for the key role they played in helping raise graduation rates. “Tremendous credit for high graduation rates is due to Wisconsin Public School educators who are working harder in more difficult conditions,” Martin said. “There is still much work to do to close gaps, and educators are already implementing solutions through our union. We stand ready to partner on addressing this critical issue with families, administrators and elected officials.”

In a free presentation February 27 in Appleton, Dr. Julie Mead of the UW-Madison School of Education will share research that uncovers a troubling relationship between school privatization and discrimination.

On the same day Governor Tony Evers formally announced the middle-class tax cut plan he campaigned on, Republicans passed their own proposal (AB 4/SB 18) through committee along party lines, and it passed the Joint Finance Committee Thursday. The Assembly is set to vote on it Tuesday, and Friday Assembly Speaker Robin Vos hinted at negotiating. The Senate’s next floor session is Wednesday. Read more about this and other activity at the State Capitol.

The 2019 Wisconsin Educational Media and Technology Association Conference is March 31 to April 2 at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. The WEMTA Conference brings together current, future and past educators to share knowledge of library and technology topics. It includes 12 concurrent sessions over three days that offer a wide variety of choices, as well as featured speakers representing expertise in the latest educational technology tools and strategies.

When WEAC Vice President Peggy Wirtz-Olsen asked the leaders of the Belleville Education Association what makes their local strong, Monika Brown, high school German teacher of 30 years and President of the Belleville Education Association, said, “It’s our willingness to listen, communicate, and follow through. We listen to our members and work to head off potential problems, and we share our members’ needs with administration before small issues become large problems.” Read Peggy’s latest Spotlight on Locals column.